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Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet ministers after the swearing-in ceremony. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, March 8 (EMN): Leader of People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) Neiphiu Rio was sworn in as the 20th chief minister of Nagaland on Thursday in a historic public oath-taking ceremony held at Khuochiezie ground in Kohima.
Governor PB Acharya administered the oath of office to the new chief minister along with newly appointed deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton (BJP) and 10 cabinet ministers.
The list of cabinet ministers include CM Chang, Neiba Kronu and Metsubo Jamir from NDPP; S Pangnyu Phom, P Paiwang Konyak, Jacob Zhimomi, V Kashiho Sangtam and Temjen Imna Along from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); G Kaito Aye from JD (U) and Tongpang Ozukum (Independent).
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Former Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeilang, Union Minister for State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP President Amit Shah is seen during swearing-in ceremony at Kohima, Nagaland on Thu. Mar. 8, 2018. Photo by Caisii Mao[/caption]
Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, BJP national president Amit Shah, chief ministers of neighbouring states N Biren Singh (Manipur), Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), Sarbananda Sonowal (Assam) and Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya), Mizoram’s former chief minister Zoramthanga, BJP national general secretary in charge of Northeast Ram Madhav, Rajya Sabha MP KG Kenye, former chief minister TR Zeliang, newly elected legislators and top bureaucrats were among those in attendance.
New roadmap for developments–Rio
“We have chosen to conduct this important function at this historic place in honour of the people we are to serve, and to also remind ourselves publicly of the responsibilities that lie upon our shoulders,” Rio said in his first public address after being sworn in. The venue is reminiscent for the historic declaration of the statehood of Nagaland on 1st December 1963 made by the then President of India, Dr. S Radhakrishnan.
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Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio addressing the public after the swearing-in ceremony at Kohima, Nagaland on Thu. Mar. 8, 2018.[/caption]
Stating that the PDA has come to power on the back of a campaign that promised change, Rio assured good governance, rule of transparency and commitment to bring about positive change.
“We recognise that this mandate is a mandate not just for change of government but a vote to bring positive change in Nagaland. We will redraw a new map of progressive development in a manner that is all inclusive and involves all stakeholders,” he asserted.
Rio said that for the new government, the people are its ‘real high command’. “We assure the people of Nagaland that we will tirelessly work towards achievement of the commitments given to the people,” he declared.
He also maintained that the PDA remains committed towards facilitating the peace process and assured to make all efforts to contribute towards achieving an ‘honourable solution that is inclusive and acceptable to the people’ as early as possible.
“We will extend our fullest cooperation to the government of India under the bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in our collective endeavour to bring lasting peace and all round development in Nagaland,” he stated.
Rio thanked the Election Commission of India, the chief electoral officer of Nagaland and state government machineries for the successful conduct of the election; the Civil Society, churches and the people for positively participating in the democratic process. He congratulated the newly elected members and expressed hope that both the treasury and opposition would work together in a constructive manner to bring about economic growth and all round development.
Also lauding party workers of both NDPP and BJP “for a job well done”, he commended them for keeping their campaign ‘dignified, responsible and mature’ and strengthening the foundations of democracy with their conduct. He acknowledged NDPP president Chingwang Konyak and BJP Nagaland president Visasolie Lhoungu for inspiring harmony and coordination within the alliance. “We are humbled by our victory and the People's Democratic Alliance, which includes the JD (U), the NPP and the Independent, promise that we will not allow any vote cast in our favour to go in vain. We will bring change, we will work for all sections and we will leave no one behind,” Rio further stated.
Four first-time MLAs were inducted as cabinet ministers in the new Rio-led PDA ministry. Independent legislator and former Naga Students’ Federation president Tongpang Ozukum, whose support to Rio played a crucial role in turning the number-battle to the advantage of NDPP-BJP alliance, is the youngest minister in the present cabinet at the age of 34..
BJP MLA Temjen Imna Along, who defeated former NPF legislator Dr. Benjongliba Aier from Alongtaki assembly seat by 86 votes, also managed to secure a cabinet berth. The other two first-timers in the cabinet are former director of rural development department Metsubo Jamir of NDDP who made his electoral debut from Mokokchung Town assembly constituency and defeated former minister C Apok Jamir and BJP’s V Kashiho Sangtam who defeated former minister C Kipili Sangtam from Seyochung-Sitimi seat.
Jacob Zhimomi of BJP from Ghaspani-I, who served as a parliamentary secretary in the previous ministry was also rewarded with a cabinet berth.
[caption id="attachment_167412" align="alignnone" width="500"] Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland Governor PB Acharya, BJP President Amit Shah, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu and cabinet ministers pose for photograph after the swearing-in ceremony at Kohima, Nagaland on Thu. Mar. 8, 2018. Photo by Caisii Mao[/caption]
Interestingly, the MLAs representing constituencies with the highest and the lowest electorates among all the 60 assembly constituencies have both figured in the cabinet this time: Ghaspani-I AC has the highest number of electorates with 65637 voters and Mokokchung Town has the lowest with 7135 voters.
Also, in his address Rio extended greetings to women on the occasion of International Women’s Day. As the world observed the day in honour of women, Rio said his party, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) stand for women empowerment and gender equality to ensure equality for men and women in the Naga society.